Prompt: The Gift | Word Count: 200 words exactly | Genre: flash fiction
April 6, 2020
Marni decided to take stock. Enough of this petty self-pity. It was time to buck up. So she decided to look for the gifts in this new way of life.
The gift of time, to peruse the things she’d dreamed of but never found time focus on. Learning a new language, practicing and appreciating art, playing and exploring music. She finally kept a gratitude journal.
The gift of connection. She reached beyond the confines of isolation with technology to connect with family and friends with whom connection had languished. Chat, zoom, FaceTime and catch up for the first time in years.
She worked to tidy and clean. She sorted and donated. Made her space anew.
She found ways to help and moved beyond her fear to open her heart to those she could help. She made masks — she discovered that there are patterns for all skill levels. She mowed her neighbor’s lawn, then planted a row of bright-faced pansies. She earmarked some money to donate to those in need.
On that day when she walked back into her fully communal life, she could say she’d made her life richer, recognizing and appreciating the gifts of this disruption.
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